- The European Parliament strengthens consumers' right to repair certain products
- The aim is to reduce waste
- The warranty on the repaired product should be extended for one year
The European Parliament strengthens consumers' right to repair certain products
On Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted a new law enshrining consumers' right to repair certain products, including smartphones, tablets, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges, and monitors.
The law, which still needs final approval by EU Member States, will require manufacturers to repair out-of-warranty goods, where possible, free of charge or at a "reasonable price".
The aim is to reduce waste
The new rules aim to help consumers and reduce waste so that people can use products for longer and replace them less often.
The European Commission proposed the first draft legislation in March 2023.
A total of 584 EU legislators voted in favor of the legislation, with only three votes against and 14 abstentions.
EU law already requires manufacturers to repair or replace faulty goods free of charge under a two-year warranty.
The warranty on the repaired product should be extended for one year
The provisions adopted on Monday would extend the warranty on such repaired products by one year.
It also requires manufacturers to inform consumers of their right to choose repair over replacement when returning the product under warranty.
However, the more important changes concern out-of-warranty repairs, for example, when products were bought more than two years ago or when they are accidentally damaged after purchase.
The legislation states that manufacturers will be obliged to offer out-of-warranty repairs free of charge or at a "reasonable price." However, manufacturers would not be obliged to repair goods "when they cannot be repaired."
They would also have to sell all the spare parts they produce to a third party, i.e. repairers, also at a "reasonable price".
Based on ELTA reports
